ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC

Programs

1. Now in its 41st year, the aef arizona teacher of the year program annually selects arizona's teacher of the year and recognizes an additional fourteen prek-12 public school teachers, all of whom are exceptionally skilled, talented and dedicated. Teacher of the year nominees are public school teachers from across arizona who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers. They play an active and useful role in their communities as well as their schools, distinguishing themselves as leaders. The winner of the arizona teacher of the year award goes on to become arizona's candidate for national teacher of the year. Aef disburses a total of 40,000 to the top 10 teacher of the year finalists and semifinalists and an additional 250 in amazon gift cards to five honorable mentions. The winner receives 15,000 and other prizes. As arizona's teacher of the year, this individual travels to washington d.c. To meet the president of the united states and attends international space camp in huntsville, al, with state teachers of the year from across the nation. The next four runners-up, called "ambassadors for excellence," receive 5,000 each; each of the remaining five…

   $221,836 spentof which $32,200 as grants
   17% of program spending

2. The aef a+ school of excellence program is a comprehensive school recognition program that began 41 years ago. Through the program, aef identifies, recognizes and rewards pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools throughout arizona that demonstrate excellence in every aspect of education: student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging and viable curriculum; active teaching and learning; professional community; leadership; community partnerships; and assessment. Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in arizona that have been in operation for six or more years and received a grade of "a- or "b" from the arizona department of education are eligible to apply for this prestigious, well-known, and coveted award. The process necessitates that the school complete and submit a 35-to-40-page detailed application, which is read, reviewed and evaluated by a panel of leaders from the education and business communities. Schools whose written applications qualify for it receive a day-and-a-half-long site visit from members of a review committee to determine if the award is warranted. The a+ school of excellence designation is valid for four years,…

   $104,952 spent
   8% of program spending

3. The aef arizona state spelling bee is administered by aef to determine arizona's representative in the annual scripps national spelling bee in washington d.c. Spelling bees give students from public, private, charter and home schools an opportunity to utilize their spelling and phonetic skills in a competitive environment and a chance to participate in higher level bees. Spelling bees give students who might not excel in more traditional competitive environments such as sports an opportunity to shine. In fy25, 514,000 arizona students statewide in grades kindergarten through eight compete in classroom, school, district, and county bees to qualify as one of 28 finalists in the state bee. Aef works year-round with school, district, regional and county coordinators across arizona to ensure consistency and fairness in determining which 27 spellers will vie for the title of arizona state spelling bee champion. The winner and chaperone receive an all-expenses paid trip to washington d.c., so arizona's champion can compete in the scripps national spelling bee in late spring.

   $36,217 spent
   3% of program spending

4. Teachstem is a workforce readiness program aimed at combating the arizona stem teacher shortage. The program motivates 9th-12th grade high school students to become stem teachers and also provides teaching resources for educators in grades 5th-8th to infuse classrooms with stem skills by introducing students to a variety of stem careers. Aef pairs an arizona teacher of the year and other master stem educators with a high school to serve as a stem coach to not only teach students vital stem learning skills, but also work with them on becoming stem teachers. The first time most high school students learn about stem is through a teacher; yet, with stem teacher shortages plaguing almost every high school in arizona, opportunities for students to learn from and interact with stem educators are growing few and far between. Teachstem is fostering the next generation of stem teachers for arizona schools. The program also utilizes stem subject matter experts who are guest speakers and talk with students about stem careers. The principals' leadership academy of arizona (plaa) was launched in september 2008, in response to a strong demand statewide for leadership training programs to prepare…

   $978,743 spent
   73% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $1,341,748.